All great reasons to do a weekly meal plan. We have very small fridges and freezers here in Germany, so don’t have enough room to store groceries for an entire week, so I only plan a day or two at a time. Most people here go to the market and bakery on a daily basis. We do eat very healthy though.

I have one question about menu planning Monday. Often when I plan my menu, at least one of the items I need is not available at the grocery store when I go. What do you do? Have a backup? Make it without that ingredient? Go to another store later to try to get it?Kim

Good question Kim, because this has happened to me. Drives me crazy! It usually means I have to make a trip to the one other grocery store in town to get what I need. The great thing about Menu Planning is that I can quickly just move days around if I need to..so if I don’t have the ingredients for Tuesday’s meal I can make that Friday and make Friday’s meal on Tuesday for example. Hope that makes sense.

I totally agree. I hate wasting food and I hardly ever waste any food now because of a coordinated menu and focused grocery shopping instead of random “this looks/sounds good” grabbing. It also makes the toddler happier because the trip is faster. I try to convert my friends over to menu planning because wasting food is a big pet peeve of mine.

Those are great reasons! I’m working on getting that in place. Its a little difficult because I only cook once a week, each member of my family has one night, and I need to get them to give me menus so I can make a list and go. So far we’ve been shopping almost daily, and it is painful on the budget.

I posted 13 things people say to large families! The first in a 2-part series!

Another great idea! I keep trying to do menu’s and sometimes it works and other times its hard but after reading your list I realize that it would be easier to just do it! Thanks! And thanks for dropping by my TT!

Thank you so much for sharing your ideas for organizing. I’m very messy and I hate it. My husband wishes I was a more orderly person. I’m praying about this and have suddenly found your site. God answers prayer fast. I am thankful for people like you and I truly hope to become similar. Blessings and thanks, Kathi

I agree with all those reasons. However, the reason I feel is the most important reason I do it is: It saves me so much time at the grocery store. I write my list in order of how the store is laid out. As long as I have my list and stick to it, it’s a breeze!